Overcrowding Concerns at Riverside Elementary

Opposition Education critic David Brazil says parents of students attending Riverside Elementary in Clarenville are very concerned with overcrowding at the school.

Brazil says the building was designed for 500 to 550 students, but currently has 800 students enrolled.

He says the school was on the list for expansion, but that work was cancelled.

He says you can’t cancel necessary work. He says over capacity at schools become a hazard to safety and learning.

Area MHA Colin Holloway says he is aware of the concerns being raised and government has hosted a series of roundtables to discuss the matter. He says they’re open to solutions to the issue, including cafeteria space, playground supervision and congestion in the area where children are dropped off.

He says they welcome ideas on how to address concerns and issues at the school.